Attache cases and the like containers



March 5, 1968 JAMISON ETAL 3,371,757

ATTACHE CASES AND THE LIKE CONTAINERS Filed June 28, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet1 Q Q, 30 3/ 37 f -V' II v Z0 22 I G 2 INVENTORS m .amsuw' 2 If If-VERA/l BY ATTQkA K March 5, 1968 H, JAMlSON ET AL 3,371,757

ATTACHE CASES AND THE LIKE CONTAINERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 28,1966 Z x r 8 I I II I I I,

Mm w mg M M m m N Y Y B H. IJAMISON ET AL 3,371,757

ATTACHE CASES AND THE LIKE CONTAINERS March 5, 1968 Filed June 28, 1966s Shets-Sheet s INVENTORS RALPH M. VER/V/ United States Patent 3,371,757ATTACK-[E CASES AND THE LIKE CONTAINERS Harry Jamison, Beechhurst, andRalph M. Verni, Baldwin, N.Y., assignors to The Jamison PlasticCorporation, North Bellmore, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed June28, 1966, Ser. No. 561,276 11 Claims. (Cl. 190-49) This inventionrelates to attach cases and the like containers.

An object of this invention is to provide a case of the characterdescribed which may be made from a relatively small number of differentmolded parts and in which two case sections may be molded from the samemold.

Another object of this invention is to provide a case of the characterdescribed in which the two case sections are spaced at the bottom whenthe case is open, but are provided with means to close the bottom of thecase when the two sections are closed.

Still another object of this inveniton is to provide a case of thecharacter described in which a bezel comprising a top portion and sidearm portions, has a through groove at one side receiving and attached toedges of one case section and a symmetrical through groove at itsopposite side, into which edges of the other case section snugly fitwhen the case is closed, and said bezel carrying latches each having apair of lock fingers adapted to pass through openings in said casesections, when said case is closed, to hold the case sections in closedcondition.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a case of thecharacter described in which said latches have means to make clickingsounds when the latches move into locking condition, to indicate thatthe latches have operated, and to retain the latches in locked conditionagainst accidental opening.

A further object of this invention is to provide a case of the characterdescribed in which the case sections are provided with integral legs andwith integral hinge sleeves so arranged that the sleeves of one casesection will interfit with the sleeves of the other case section.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a I case of thecharacter described in which said bezel is connect said handle to saidbezel. When the bezel is thereafter fixed to one of said case sections,the top portion of the bezel must remain straight and the handle cannotcome 01f its hinge pins.

Yet a further, object of this invention is to provide a case of thecharacter described comprising means to limit the angle of opening ofsaid sections and comprising links hinged to said cases on hollowrivets, and being interpivoted to each other. With such construction, across-wire may have its ends inserted into a pair of opposed hollowrivets on one case section, to removably mount said crosswires withinsaid case and to hold an envelope within one of said case sections, andthe solid ends of said rivets holding the wire from moving endwise.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a strong, ruggedand durable attach case of the character described which shall berelatively inexpensive to manufacture, which shall comprise few andsimple parts, which shall be easy to assemble, easy to open and close,which 3,371,757 Patented Mar. 5, 1968 shall be light in weight and yetpractical and efiicient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements and arrangrnent of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope of invention will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown an illustrativeembodiment of this invention,

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an attach case embodying the invention, andshowing said case in closed condition; and with parts broken away and incross-section;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the case shown in FIG. 1, withparts broken away and in cross-section;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 33 7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the case of FIG. 1, with parts brokenaway and in cross-section;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, detailed view of a portion of the structure shownin FIG. 1, including one of the snap latches;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the case in closed condition, with the topwall broken away to show the upper side of the bottom of the case;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the hinged end of thecase, opened up; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line ll1-11 of FIG.10.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, 10 designates an attach caseembodying the invention. Said case comprises a pair of identical casesections 11 which may be molded in the same mold, of suitable syntheticplastic material such as high impact polystyrene.

Each case section 11 comprises an outer flat wall 12 from the lower endof which extends an integral bottom wall 13 which tapers downwardlytoward the midsection of the case, integral end walls 14 which taperoutwardly toward the midsection of the case, and a top wall 15 whichtapers upwardly toward the midsection of the case. The top and bottomwalls interconnect the end walls. End walls 14 have end edges 14a. Topwall 15 has an end edge 15a. Bottom wall 13 has an end edge 13a. Saidbottom wall has, along its end edge 13a, a gradually thickened portion13b and a projecting longitudinal flange 13c (FIGS. 8, 9), Flange 13cand thickened portion 13b of each bottom wall extend from about thelongitudinal middle of the edge 13a to a point 13d spaced from wall 14.Since the case sections 11 are identical, the flanges will be located intandem as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawing.

Each bottom wall 13 is provided at one end with an integral pair ofspaced hinge sleeves 20 adjacent one end and with a single hinge sleeve21 adjacent the opposite end of said bottom wall. Said sleeves 2t), 21have a common axis located below the bottom wall and in a vertical planeat the longitudinal midsection of the case. The sleeves 20,21 are solocated that when two case sections are assembled, the sleeve 21 of eachwill fit between the sleeves 20 of the other, in registry or coaxiallytherewith. Metal hinge pins or rivets 22 pass through each interfittedsleeve 20, 21, to hinge the case sections together. When the casesections are closed, edges 13a of the two case sections will almosttouch. The outer ends 13d of flanges 130 are located near the sleeves20. When the case is closed, the flange 13c of the bottom wall of onecase section overlaps the edge 13a of the bottom wall of the other casesection. Thus, while the bottom walls 13 are spaced apart when the casesections are swung open, the bottom of the case is closed when the casesections are closed up.

It will be noted that end edges 14a of end walls 14 are spaced apart inparallel relation when the case is closed, for the purpose hereinafterappearing. Also, end edges 15a are spaced apart when the case is closed.End edges 14a, 15a of each case are in a common plane.

Integrally formed with each bottom wall are a pair of spaced legsprojecting below the sleeves 20, 21 so that the case, when closed, maystand on said legs when the closed case is placed on a horizontalsurface.

Attached to one of said case sections 11 is a bezel having a tophorizontal portion 31 from which extend a pair of parallel arms 32 atright angles to said top portion. Said bezel is symmetrical about alongitudinal plane passing through its longitudinal mid-section, and isformed on both sides with through grooves 33 in the top part 31 and inthe arms 32. Thus the bezel 30 is of H-shape transverse cross-section.

The bezel may be made of suitable molded plastic such as AcrylicButydine Rubber. The edges 14a, 15a of one case section fit into thegroove 33 on one side of the bezel and is attached thereto by means of asolvent or adhesive or by heat fusion. One solvent that may be used toattach the bezel to one case section is ethylene dichloride. Thus, endedge 15a fits into the groove 33 in straight portion 31, while end edges14a fit into grooves 33 in arms 31. The bezel is made of a flexibleresilient plastic for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

The end edges 14a, 15a of the other case section 11 nest or fit into thegroove 33 on the other side of the bezel when the case is closed. Theweb 30a of the bezel between grooves 33 fills the spaces between the endedges 14a, 15a of the two case sections.

The central part 35 of the upper flange of the top portion 31 of bezel30 may be made wider than the ends of said top portion, for strength.Said central top part 35 may have curved outer longitudinal edges 36.

Integrally formed with said central part 35 are a pair of spacedupwardly extending posts 37 provided with horizontally aligned, inwardlyextending integral pivot pins 38. Swung on said pins is a handle 40which may also be molded of suitable plastic. Said handle 40 comprises atop part 41 from which arms 42 extend downwardly. The lower ends of saidarms are formed with outwardly openings holes 43 in which the pivot pins38 are rotatably received. Arms 43 are located just inside of posts 37.

The handle is assembled with the bezel before the bezel is attached toone case section 11. To assemble said handle with the unattached bezel,the top portion 31 of the bezel is flexed by pressing the ends thereofdown, and the central part up, thus causing the posts 37 to spread andthe pivot pin 38 to spread apart. The handle 40 can then be placed insuch position that when the top portion of the bezel is allowed to goback to normal position, the pins 33 will enter the openings 43. Whenthe bezel is thereafter aflixed to one case section 11, the top portion31 of the bezel remains straight and the handle cannot come off thepivot pins 38. The posts 37 are located well inside the ends of thewidened part 35 of the bezel, as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

Latch means is provided to hold the case in closed condition. To thisend, top wall 15 of each case section 11 is formed with a pair ofspaced, longitudinal, aligned, short slots 50 adjacent to, but spacedfrom, edges 15a of said top wall. Slots 50 are located adjacent theouter ends of central part 35 and outwardly of posts 37. The upperflange of the top part 31 of the bezel is formed with pairs of notches51 registering with slots 50 when the case is closed. The lower flangeof the top portion 31 of the bezel is widened as at 52 and formed withpairs of slots 53 registering with slots 50 of the case sections, whenthe case is closed and also registering with said pairs of notches 51.

Integrally formed with said upper flange of the top part 31 of bezel 30and located inwardly of notches 51, are pairs of parallel, upwardlyextending ears 55 formed with coaxial bearing openings 56.

Also, integrally formed with the top portion 31 of bezel 30, areupwardly extending resilient fingers 57 located outwardly of ears 55 andtherebetween. Each finger 57 has an inwardly extending top lip 58.Fingers 57 are located at the outer ends of notches 51 and therebetween.

Pivoted to each pair of ears 55 is a latch 60 having axles 61 journalledin bearing openings 56. Latch 60 has a longitudinal slot 62 extending toits inner end, thus forming spring arms or fingers 63 which may bepressed together to get axles 61 into bearings 56. Each latch 60 has anopening '64 near its outer end to receive the upper end of a springfinger 57. The lower inner edge of opening 64 is curved as at 65, sothat as the latch is pressed down, curved edge 65 will engage lip 58 andpush the upper end of the spring finger 57 outwardly. When the lip 58passes beyond the upper end of opening 64, the spring finger will snapinwardly and produce a clicking sound, as the lip 58 overlaps a portionof the latch inwardly of opening 64. The click tells the operator thatthe case is closed, as will appear hereinafter, and the lip 58 keeps thelatch down.

Each latch 60 is provided with a pair of parallel, downwardly extendingtongues 67 which move down through notches 51, slots 50 and slots 53, tolock the case sections together.

Means is provided to retain said casing sections from opening up beyonda predetermined angle. To this end, there is pivoted to the end walls 14of the case section to which the bezel 30 is attached, by means ofinwardly opening hollow rivets 70, a pair of metal links 71, each formedwith an outer V-shaped portion 72 formed with an outwardly pressed bump73. At the apex of portion 72 is an outwardly bent stop finger 74.

Pivoted to the end walls of the other case section 11, as by inwardlyopening hollow rivets 75, are links 76 interpivoted by rivets 77 tolinks 71 inwardly of said portion 72 thereof. The pivots 70, 75 are solocated and the lengths of the links 71, 76 are such, that the casesections may be opened only to about a 90 angle, as shown in FIG. 10.

A long spring wire or rod 80 has its ends projecting into the hollowrivets 75 (FIG. 11), to support an envelope or folder 81 within one ofthe case sections.

The outer ends of links 71, 76 are otfset as at 70a and 76a of thebezel, so that the jointed portion of said links are in parallel planes.The holes for receiving the hollow rivets 70, 75 in the case sectionsmay be drilled after said sections are molded.

The slots 50 and notches 51 may be formed during the molding operationof the case sections.

A plate 80a may be attached to the top wall of one case section, bydrilling holes 81a in said top wall and inserting pins 82 extending fromsaid plate into said holes and riveting said pins.

Bumps 73 of links 71 press links 76 to keep the case opened up.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an apparatus in which theseveral objects of this invention are achieved, and which is welladapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and asvarious changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it isto be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

We claim:

1. A case comprising a pair of case sections, each having an outer wall,top and bottom walls extending therefrom, and end walls extending fromsaid outer wall and connecting said topand bottom walls, hinge sleevesintegrally formed with said bottom walls, the hinge sleeves of one casesection registering with and being coaxial with hinge sleeves of theother case section, the axis of said sleeves being disposed below saidbottom walls and in a vertical plane passing between said sections whenthe case is closed, hinge pins passing through said registering sleeves,a bezel having a top portion and downwardly extending side arm portionsand formed with grooves on opposite sides, the end edges of the top andend walls of one case section being received in the groove of one sideof the bezel and fixed thereto throughout the length of the bezel, andthe end edges of the top and end walls of the other case section beingadapted to snugly fit into the groove on the opposite side of said bezelwhen the case sections are closed, said case sections being capable ofbeing molded from a common mold, and said bezel being symmetrical abouta vertical plane passing through its longitudinal midsection.

2. The combination of claim 1, said bottom walls having end edgessubstantially touching when the case is closed and being separated whenthe case is open, and each bottom wall having a longitudinal flangeoverlying the other bottom wall when the case is closed, said flangesbeing disposed in tandem when the case is closed.

3. The combination of claim 1, a pair of posts extending up from andintegrally formed with the top portion of said bezel, aligned hinge pinsextending from said posts in opposite directions, and a handle having atop part and side arms, said arms being formed with holes rotatablyreceiving said pins to swingably mount said handle on said pins, andsaid bezel being made of flexible resilient material, whereby the toppart of said bezel may be flexed, before attaching said bezel to one ofsaid case sections, to allow said pins to be inserted into said handleopenings, and whereby after said bezel is fixed to said case section,said pins remain in said holes.

4. The combination of claim 1, the top walls of said case sectionshaving pairs of slots adjacent the end edges of said top walls, a pairof latches, means to pivot said latches to the top portion of said bezeleach latch having a pair of tongues insertable downwardly into a pair ofsaid slots, one in one top wall and one in the other top wall, to retainsaid case in closed condition.

5. The combination of claim 4, said top portion of said bezel havingcut-away portions registering with each of said slots, through whichsaid tongues pass when the latches retain said case in closed condition.

6. The combination of claim 4, each latch having an opening, and springfingers on said bezel adapted to pass through the openings in saidlatches, and said fingers having lips to snap over edges of saidopenings in said latches to produce a clicking sound and to retain saidlatches against accidental opening.

7. The combination of claim 4, said means to pivot said latches to saidtop portion of said bezel, comprising pairs of cars extending up fromsaid top portion and formed with aligned bearing openings, and eachlatch having a portion slotted to form a pair of spring arms providedwith axles rotatably received in said bearing openings.

3. The combination of claim 1, pairs of links, means to pivot each pairof links to the end walls of said case sections, means to pivot thelinks of each pair of links to each other, said means to pivot said pairof links to said end walls comprising a pair of hollow rivets and aspring rod having its ends inserted in said pair of hollow rivets.

9. The combination of claim 1, and legs integrally formed with saidbottom walls and projecting down below said sleeves.

' 10. The combination of claim 1, each hinge pin passing through a pairof sleeves on one case section on opposite sides of a sleeve on theother case section, there being two hinge sleeves at one end of thebottom wall of each case section and a single sleeve at the opposite endof said bottom wall of said case section.

11. The combination of claim 1, said bezel being of H-shaped transversecross section and having a web portion between the end edges of the topand end walls of said case sections, when the case is closed.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,010,552 11/1961 Davidson --413,295,713 1/1967 Optner 220-31 DONALD F. NORTON, Primary Examiner.

1. A CASE COMPRISING A PAIR OF CASE SECTIONS, EACH HAVING AN OUTER WALL,TOP AND BOTTOM WALLS EXTENDING THEREFROM, AND END WALLS EXTENDING FROMSAID OUTER WALL AND CONNECTING SAID TOP AND BOTTOM WALLS, HINGE SLEEVESINTEGRALLY FORMED WITH SAID BOTTOM WALLS, THE HINGE SLEEVES OF ONE CASESECTION REGISTERING WITH AND BEING COAXIAL WITH HINGE SLEEVES OF THEOUTER CASE SECTION, THE AXIS OF SAID SLEEVES BEING DISPOSED BELOW SAIDBOTTOM WALLS AND IN A VERTICAL PLANE PASSING BETWEEN SAID SECTIONS WHENTHE CASE IS CLOSED, HINGE PINS PASSING THROUGH SAID REGISTERING SLEEVES,A BEZEL HAVING A TOP PORTION AND DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING SIDE ARM PORTIONSAND FORMED WITH GROOVES ON OPPOSITE SIDES, THE END EDGES OF THE TOP ANDEND WALLS OF ONE CASE SECTION BEING RECEIVED IN THE GROOVE OF ONE SIDE